title: Factors Associated with the Use of Different Treatment Modalities among Patients with Upper Airway Diseases in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.
abstract: Rhinitis is a common upper airway disease and can have great impact on patients' quality of life. Factors associated with the use of common treatment modalities among 279 Taiwanese rhinitis patients from the outpatient department of otolaryngology in a medical center were investigated using a cross-sectional survey study. Results from multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusted for etiologies of rhinitis, revealed that males were associated with surgical intervention (OR = 2.11, P = 0.009). Lower educational level was associated with oral (OR = 2.31, P = 0.024) and topical medications (OR = 2.50, P = 0.005). Poor or fair general health status was associated with topical medications (OR = 4.47, P = 0.001), whereas very good or excellent general health status was inversely associated with surgical intervention (OR = 0.32, P = 0.002). Smoking was associated with the use of nasal irrigation (OR = 2.72, P = 0.003). Worse disease-specific quality of life was associated with oral medications (OR = 2.46, P = 0.010) and traditional Chinese medicine (OR = 5.43, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the use of different treatment modalities for rhinitis was associated with different combinations of independent factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, No. 2, Minsheng Road, Dalin, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan ; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, No. 155, College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 3M7.
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Kai-Li
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Hsin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: Ting-Ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Rong-San
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yueh-Chiao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yeh